CLT20 Qualifiers: Holders Mumbai Indians stunned by Lahore Lions

Ahmed Shehzad (34) and Nasir Jamshed (26) laid a good platform by stitching 51 runs for the opening wicket, but they looked like losing way in the middle overs as Mumbai came back strongly on the back of some fine bowling and fielding.

Lahore needed 26 runs from the last three overs. Akmal turned the game on its head with a superb show of batting as he struck four fours and two sixes from 18 balls in his unbeaten knock as Lahore ran away with a win, reaching 139 for four in 18.4 overs.

Brief scores: Mumbai Indians 135/7 in 20 overs (A Tare 37; A Cheema 2/22). Lahore Lions 139/4 in 18.4 overs (U Akmal 38 n.o., A Shehzad 34; P Ojha 2/18).

Knights triumph

New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson showed his prowess in the shortest format as his smashing innings powered Northern Knights to a convincing seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka’s Southern Express in a rain-curtailed opening game of the Champions League T20.

With heavy downpour and soggy outfield reducing the match to 10 overs per side, Southern Express managed 92 for five in 10 overs, which was easily surpassed by the Northern side with three balls to spare as Williamson led the charge with a 29-ball-52. Williamson showed his class with some copybook hitting showing classical footwork against the spinners,  hitting seven fours and a six.

Earlier, openers Kusal Perera and Gunathilaka rode their luck due to shoddy fielding from Northerns as Southern Express scored 92 for five in 10 overs. Kusal smashed his way to 37 off 20 balls with seven boundaries as Gunathilaka contributed 39 off 26 balls with two fours and three sixes as their opening stand of 55 laid the foundation for a challenging score.

However, the left-handed duo were helped by the profligacy of the Northern fielders, who dropped as many as six catches, three each of both openers.

Brief scores: Southern Express 92/5 in 10 overs (K Perera 37, D Gunathilaka 39; T Boult 2/12). Northern Knights 96/3 in 9.3 overs (K Williamson 52; F Maharoof 2/14). Northern Knights won by 7 wickets.